促分裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）级联信号转导途径参与了生物体生长发育和抗逆胁迫生理。植物MAPK级联途径一般由三个丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶组分构成：包括MAPKKK（MEKK、MAP3K）、MAPKK（MEK）和MAPK。植物在响应外界环境刺激时，MAPKKK首先被自磷酸化激活，依次通过磷酸化激活MAPKK和MAPK，进而将外界信号在细胞内传递从而调控目标基因的表达。MAPK级联途径参与植物激素、生物胁迫、非生物胁迫等过程的信号传递，本文就MAPK级联途径在植物抗病防卫反应中的研究进展进行综述。

Mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade played critical roles in plant growth, development and in response to various environmental stresses.  A classical plant MAPK cascade was composed of three functionally linked conserved components:MAPKKK,MAPKK and MAPK.  The MAPKKKs were firstly autophosphorylated once the external stimuli were perceived by a membrane receptor.  MAPKK and MAPK were activated by phosphorylation in turn, and then the external stimuli signals were transmitted into cells to regulate the expression of target genes.  Numerous studies revealed that MAPK cascade were involved in transduction of signals including plant hormones, biotic and abiotic stresses.  Here, this paper summarized the recent progresses on the functions of MAPK cascade system in plant disease resistance, in order to provide the theoretical basis for further investigation on MAPK cascade mechanisms of signal transduction involved in plant disease resistance.